The Princess of Wales shared a new photo of her youngest son, Prince Louis, during a Halloween celebration in Norfolk. Source: hellomagazine.com.
What Happened
The image shows one-year-old Prince Louis in a blue raincoat, dark blue denim jeans, and letterbox red Wellington boots.
He is holding a large pumpkin with a joyful smile. The photo was taken in Norfolk and shared on the official social media channels for the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The post reads: "Happy Halloween! [Pumpkin emoji]. Prince Louis, aged 1, photographed by The Princess of Wales."
Public Reaction
Fans responded with warmth and admiration.
One comment said: "Aww he is adorable," followed by three blue love heart emojis.
Another user wrote: "So sweet! What a throwback for Halloween! Hope the kids enjoy the holiday as much as they can before going back to school. Save some sweets for yourselves, Kate and William."
Some fans noticed a strong resemblance between Prince Louis and his elder brother, Prince George.
One comment read: "Adorable! Wow, looks so much like George here!"
Historical Context
For decades, the royal family has not publicly celebrated Halloween.
Queen Victoria reportedly wanted members of royalty to maintain ‘total class and sophistication’ at all times.
This meant avoiding public dressing up or festive activities during the holiday.
Family Halloween Traditions
Prince Louis’s mother, Carole Middleton, is a well-known Halloween enthusiast.
When she ran the company Party Pieces, she posted: "Halloween is an Autumn highlight for me. I can still remember the fun and frights from my own childhood; the chance to dress up, decorate pumpkins and go trick-or-treating! I’ve even grown my own pumpkins this year, so I’m looking forward to decorating those with my loved ones."
This personal interest may have influenced the family’s recent Halloween activity.
Earlier Family Halloween Moments
In 2022, Jay Rutland, husband of Tamara Ecclestone, who lives near Kensington Palace, recalled a Halloween visit from the royal family.
He said: "Kate knocked on our door in London with their kids on Halloween. ‘Trick or Treating’. Very friendly and down-to-earth."
He shared a photo showing Prince Louis, then four, grabbing the gates with both fists, alongside his sister Charlotte, then seven, and Prince George, then eleven.
Prince George stood behind his siblings, with Kate smiling widely.
In 2024, Kate was seen at Sainsbury’s in Amner, Norfolk, shopping for Halloween costumes.
Kathy Whittaker, a fellow shopper, recalled: "She was with Charlotte and George looking at Halloween outfits but her bodyguard was kind of watching people with phones and telling them no pictures. I managed to get the photo as she was at the self-service checkout."
Whittaker said Kate asked her children what they wanted to be for Halloween. She believes Kate bought some Halloween items for her kids, though the exact items are unknown.
Why This Matters
The photo marks a quiet shift in how the royal family engages with public holidays.
It shows a more personal, family-centered side of the royal household.
It also reflects how traditions can evolve when influenced by family members with personal ties to the holiday.
Limitations and Open Questions
There is no official confirmation that Halloween is now a regular family event.
Public celebrations remain rare, and this photo is one of the first official images of a royal child participating in a Halloween activity.
It is unclear whether such activities will become more common or stay occasional.
Details about the family’s holiday practices come mostly from personal accounts and anecdotal reports.
For more on Kate Middleton’s recent appearances, see her visit to a hospice. For a look at her latest portrait, visit her M&S; blouse appearance.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Catherine grinning with Prince Louis with head on her shoulder. Via original publisher. Image source
